I wish to congratulate Archbishop-elect Francis Duffy who has been appointed by Pope Francis as the new Archbishop of Tuam.
In giving thanks for his contribution to Kilmore Diocese and his neighbourly support from Ardagh and Clonmacnois, I wish him well as he takes up his new responsibilities in the Archdiocese of Tuam.
Archbishop-elect Duffy, is a native of the parish of Templeport, near Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan, and he served the Diocese of Kilmore very faithfully and with great dedication and distinction as a priest from his ordination in 1982 until his appointment as bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois in 2013. His work has been mainly in the field of Catholic education, first as a teacher in Saint Patrick’s College, Cavan and later in Fatima and Felim’s Secondary School in Ballinamore. In the years 1994-96 he found time in a busy teaching schedule to do an M.A. in Maynooth College and an M.Ed. in Trinity College, Dublin. He served as Principal of Fatima and Felim’s School from 1996 to 2008 before being appointed Chancellor and Diocesan Secretary of the diocese. Following a sabbatical he was appointed Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.
As Archbishop-elect Duffy prepares to take up his new post I wish him every blessing and success in his new appointment, with the assurance of my support and my prayers.
Finally, I would like to wish Archbishop Neary well in his retirement and to thank him for his welcome and friendship as a member of the Episcopal Conference.
+ Martin Hayes
Bishop of Kilmore.
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